The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the defending Super Bowl Champions.
That high-powered Bucs offense is so loaded with superstars who are all returning in 2021, and tight end Rob Gronkowski is among them.
Gronk showed all of us in the Super Bowl that his one-year “retirement” healed the aches that persisted from his Patriots career.
The 32-year-old prevailed in the battle of the highly publicized tight ends with Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce.
He had 6 catches for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Kelce had more yards but did not find the end zone finishing with 10 catches for 133 yards.
With all of that being said, can Rob Gronkowski be a real threat in 2021?
The answer is yes, and here is why.
1. Chemistry With Tom Brady
The Brady-Gronk partnership has four Super Bowl rings.
No one can dispute that Gronk has been Brady’s security blanket on the field in critical situations.
He figures out a way to get open and pulls in key catches for his quarterback.
The two obviously have mutual respect and admiration for each other.
It is obvious both on the field and off.
Aside from Gronk’s brief retirement in 2019, the pair have been teammates since 2010.
Gronk recently commented on Tom Brady’s skills.
“It’s incredible. Ever since I started playing with him, I’ve never seen a drop off. I’ve seen some balls drop off but after that it always bounces right back.”
Brady recently engaged in a social media exchange with Gronk that shows both have the desire, work ethic, and absolute iron will to continue performing at high levels.
Check out Brady’s comment on Gronk’s latest IG post 👀 pic.twitter.com/100c3klsWi
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) August 19, 2021
2. Playing For The Love Of The Game
Gronk has nothing to prove.
He has already earned the highest individual and team honors a player can achieve in the game.
Gronk is a 5-time Pro Bowler and was named a First-Team All-Pro 4 times.
He enjoys and appreciates the game more as he gets older.
With a peaceful mind and healthy body, Gronk is an even bigger threat.
Buccaneers TE Rob Gronkowski on what's different for him this year compared to the last: "It just feels a lot more efficient this year"https://t.co/Yb1dzWwiQ1 pic.twitter.com/MoeaCyxRCZ
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 4, 2021
Bruce Arians’ Take
If you need any more convincing, just listen to what his head coach Bruce Arians had to say about him this summer.
“I think a lot of people get caught up with ‘Gronk’ the personality and don’t see the worker. He’s in early, he hates making mistakes, he’s meeting with [tight ends coach] Rick [Christophel] constantly, after practice, before practice…Like a day today, he’s paying a ton of attention, he’s going to watch that tape meticulously…And he does have a lot of fun, he’s a lot of fun to be around. I love just chewing his @ss out just so [he’ll say], ‘Yeah, right dude.’”
Watch Gronk, Brady, and the rest of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers open up the 2021 NFL season on Thursday, September 9.
The Bucs host the Dallas Cowboys at the last place we saw football, the site of 2021 Super Bowl, Raymond James Stadium.
NEXT: Bruce Arians Is Giving Tom Brady A Birthday Present